Sarah's Glasses

Sarah decided recently that she needed glasses.  She had gotten really silly during reading lessons lately, so I thought it was worth a check.  Today was the much awaited day.  And, no glasses needed.  My favorite part of the appointment was when the doc was putting different lenses over her eyes so she could look at the letters.  He then took it away and asked "Is that better (referring to her view of the letters)?"  "Yes!" she said, "It was hurting my nose." She was a bit disappointed with the results, and I was disappointed that the Costco optical doctors can't bill my insurance directly, but I can submit it myself.  I had to take her though, after Libby needed glasses so badly, and I didn't realize it.

Splish Splash Spring

We have had the most amazing 2 weeks of weather.  The only day that the sun didn't burn through until late afternoon was the day we planned a lake outing with our friends.  Libby, Sarah and Ben were completely undaunted by the cold weather (in the low 60s I think, maybe even high 50s).  Libby and Sarah got all in.  Ben fell face first and got more in than he wanted to.  Libby  nearly froze to death.  Sarah cried when we got in the car to go home.

I have never seen our wisteria more beautiful.  The lilacs are also amazing.

Swimming!

Sarah getting in...I wasn't going to put swimsuits on them because it was so cold.  But they just started getting their clothes wet so I gave in.

Still smiling, before she started chattering and realizing how cold it actually was.  

Sarah the Fashionista

Have I mentioned how much I adore Sarah's love of Hello Kitty knee socks?  They make every outfit pop!

2 Key Questions

My niece Paige babysat the girls last weekend so Derek and I could go see Stephen Tobolowsky (which was super awesome).  When we got back Paige told Derek that Libby had been using the phrase "What the H-E-double hockey sticks (only saying the real word)" frequently during the evening.
Oh My.  My conversation with her started with one big question that I wanted and answer to, and gave me answers to another concern (about her school attitude) I had been having...
Conversation went something like this:
Mom:  Libby, Paige told me you were saying something inappropriate when she was here the other night.  Do you know what she is talking about? (I knew that she knew because she hadn't tried out saying it around me.)
Libby:  I said "What the hell."
Mom:  Well if you know it is inappropriate, why did you say it?  (Key Question #1--and I am hoping that the answer is not--"I heard you say it")  Where did you learn that?
Libby:  From kids at school.
Mom: (Internally--YES!  It wasn't from me!)  So kids at school say that  a lot?
Libby:  Yes, (named some names).  Those are the unfocused kids.
Mom:  The unfocused kids?  (Key question #2)  Are you one of the unfocused kids?
Libby:  No.  I am a focused kid.
Mom:  (Internally--WHEW!!!!  I know she sometimes has trouble focusing, but I am so glad she doesn't self-identify with that group, although I think it is kid of sad that some kids already have a negative label like that.)  That is good, you are a focused kid!  Just remember to talk like one.
I am so proud of this girl and the progress she has made this year.  We are on reading lesson 90 and she wants to finish all 10 this week!

Future Yoga Instructor?

So I have been doing "Mommy Daughter" workouts with the girls since Easter.  Once a week we spend about 20-30 minutes in the gym doing a variety of things.  We lift little weights, run back and forth in the studio, and we usually do some yoga at the end.  Yesterday Sarah wanted to do "Happy Baby" pose.  But first she wanted to do "Triangle Pose."  As she was doing "Triangle" (which she remembered on her own) she said, "And now we will do "Circle Pose" (a pose she made up on the spot that involved putting your hands up over your head in a circle).  Then we did "Happy Baby" (a pose laying on your back lifting up your legs).  She decided our next pose would be another of her creations, "Sleepy Baby" a pose that is essentially fetal position with heads resting on hands like you are sleeping.  As I faced her (we were both in "Sleepy Baby" pose)  she said--"This is so fun."
Best Mother's Day gift EVER!

Sarah and Ben enjoying the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Libby's school last weekend.

A Ben Story

This week Derek and I were hanging out in Ben's room after we finished tidying up for the night.  Ben came into the room holding a stuffed pig.  He said, "Pig Nap."  He put the pig into the crib.  He then said, "Guys, Pig Nap.  Shhhhh!"  He ushered us out of the room and repeated, "Pig Nap.  SHHHHH!"  He had me shut off the light, and then he shut the door.  It was so cute.  And, he obviously hears me shushing his sisters all the time when he is napping!

Pooh Bear took a nap yesterday in the crib.  Ben got a little upset with Libby when she asked why his door was closed and tried to go in.  

Have I mentioned that if he calls for me and I am not paying attention he starts calling "Trish! Trish!"  Yep, I love this kid!

A Combo Celebration

 Last Sunday we celebrated 2 birthdays and Mother's day together.

Look how happy the birthday girls are!

Mom and Clark

Mom and Maren

Mom and Derek

All the kiddos that were there and Mom

Spring in Seattle

We are having the most unusual and amazing spring.  It has felt like summer for about a week now.  I LOVE IT.  And so do the girls.  They have been playing in the sprinkler, running in the yard, wearing swimsuits, life jackets and googles, and getting super dirty.  It is making me so excited for summer. I have been tempted to put all of their winter clothes away.  Then I keep reminding myself, usually it isn't this nice until around the 4th of July.  The cold will return.  So enjoy it while it lasts!

This is how they like to play in the sprinkler, protected by the umbrella.  I don't blame them.  It was only around 70 degrees the day they did this.  

I love this picture of Sarah!

Libby has us pose and took this.

Then Sarah took this 

And this.  Sarah is quite the photographer.

PJ TIME!

Seriously, could he be any cuter?  

Although it does get a bit annoying when his first phrase in the morning is "I wanna pick."  Meaning, he wants to pick what he is going to wear that day.  And usually he wants (at least for the last few days) to keep on his pajamas.  Mostly his Cars pjs.  He seriously throws the biggest tantrums I have ever seen from him over his clothes.  

The other morning he wanted to wear his boots and was pretty unhappy that I didn't want him to.  Then I told him that his (ordinary) sketchers were Lightening McQueen shoes.  He was totally sold on them.  I put them on and he ran to tell Dad that he had his Lightening Shoes on.  It was amazing!

He also is speaking SO much.  It is basically non-stop chatter.  I love it!  There are still times when I don't quite understand what he is saying, but usually I can figure it out.  He is also very demanding about what he wants to eat.  And he only wants to drink blue milk (2%--although I am sure it is only about the color of the container,  not the flavor of the milk) out of the Cars sippy.